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Sunday, July 12, 2015

Porn Proofing Booster #4: Screen Time

Booster #4: Screen Time: Acceptance and understanding of responsible use of screen time.

OVERVIEW
When a young person receives a sexualized message it will almost always be on a screen, most likely a handheld device. Things have changed. Begin early in teaching appropriate use of screen time. Ask questions about media messaging (Media literacy) including books romance novels, movies, still pictures, blogs, advertisements etc etc.

SCREEN TIME BOOSTERS

Teach Media Literacy. Media literate youth are able to understand the complex messages we receive from television, radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, video games, music, and all other forms of media. Media literacy skills help youth: To develop critical thinking skills; To understand how media messages shape our culture and society; To identify marketing strategies; To recognize what the media maker wants us to believe or do; To recognize bias, spin, misinformation, and lies; To discover the parts of the story that are not being told; and To evaluate media messages based on our own experiences and gospel values. (Note: In the Porn Proofing Kids program "Taking a Child's Temp" is in part a media literacy process.)

Set Screen Limits for Time and Place. Establish "screen-free" zones at home by making sure there are no televisions, computers, cell phones or video games in children's bedrooms, and by turning off the various screens during dinner. Help each child in deciding on how much screen time is healthy for them. Older children should set and monitor their own screen time guidelines. Educate and use established ratings systems for shows, movies and games to avoid inappropriate content, such as violence, explicit sexual content or glorified tobacco and alcohol use.

Set-up Internet Safety Plans and Apps. Do all you can to protect your children from inappropriate messaging. As a parent explore parental control apps for the Internet, TV, and other handheld devices.

TEMP TAKING IDEASFOR SCREEN TIME BOOSTER NEEDSA BOOSTER is a dose of an extra administration after an earlier dose had already been given. A booster injection or booster dose is a re-exposure to the immunizing medicine - in our case specific "skills and knowledge". Repeated "boosters" increase immunity to Satan's inappropriate use of God's sexual arousal system. For example, tetanus shot boosters are often recommended every 10 years. Porn Proofing Booster Immunizations are recommended P.R.N. as needed. Multiple Anti-Porn Boosters are required. The single dose of a "Birds and Bees Talk" is ineffective. (Even though it may have worked for our parents with you and I.) Ideally, parents, grandparents, church leaders, school officials unite as a "village" administering appropriate and timely boosters.

According to the Center for On-Line Addiction, warning signs for video game addiction include:Playing for increasing amounts of time; Thinking about gaming during other activities; Gaming to escape from real-life problems, anxiety, or depression; Lying to friends and family to conceal gaming; and Feeling irritable when trying to cut down on gaming.

Pornography is more prevalent today than at any other time. For most people of earlier generations, pornography was something hidden in the dark corners of society. Nowadays, because of the Internet, it seems that encountering pornography is increasingly not a matter of if but when. That is why it is important that you decide now to prepare a way to flee from this evil stranger.

ASKCan you have too much screen time? How much is too much?

FIND a picture of a "beautiful" girl. What makes a girl beautiful? Find a picture of a "handsome" boy. What makes a boy handsome? Watch and ask questions about this video: With Some Images All is Not What it Seems.

ASKIs watching TV really that bad for you?

ASK I heard someone was talking about "Sexting" today. What does that mean? Why would someone do that?

... handheld devices are appropriate, and they are a blessing. However, when smartphones begin to interfere with our relationships with friends and family—and even more importantly, with God—we need to make a change ... Handheld devices, such as smartphones, are a blessing, but they can also distract us from hearing the “still, small voice.” They need to be our servants, not our masters... (Be Still and Know that I Am God, CES Devotional for Young Adults on use of technology, May 4, 2014.)

CHALLENGE:
Ponder and pray about your children's or grandchildren's need to begin the Porn Proofing "Booster Series Screen Time." Consider your ability as a parent or grandparent to successfully inoculate them against porn and other immoral sexual behavior